Dicamba Decision; Based on Science or Approval Procedure Error

A recent ruling by a federal district court has vacated the registration for over-the-top applications of Dicamba on Dicamba-tolerant soybeans, and cotton. The ruling says the US Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully approved the use of Bayer Xtendimax, BASF Engenia, and Syngenta Tavium By failing to follow notice and comment mandates for the products, South Dakota Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hunter Roberts says there aren't comparable alternatives to the Dicamba products.

“A far as over the top application. There's no technology out there. That's the same as Dicamba. There's definitely other chemical technologies that work. They just work a little different. And they're widely used just not this technology. I guess what I've been told and producers have shared with me is that I can buy is very good at maintaining or eliminating kosher weeds. That camp has been very successful at holding kosher Expansion Back. Additionally, you know, it's just one more tool that our growers have that now could be off the table for 2024.”

And going forward Roberts says that regulators don't know yet if farmers or commercial applicators will be able to use the stocks they already have on hand this spring. Groups such as ag Retailers Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation disagree with a decision, noting the determination should be made by a science-based regulatory agency.